TOBA TEK SINGH: The players of different hockey clubs of the city have expressed concern over the delay in the inauguration of the only hockey stadium of the city where Astroturf was laid some nine months ago with the expenditures of Rs70 million.

They told reporters the stadium was locked and players were unable to use it while it was feared that due to no activity, and failing to shower water on it, turf’s chemicals and glue would be damaged.

They urged the deputy commissioner to arrange the inauguration of the stadium at the earliest.

Imran Rasool, former Pakistan hockey team player who belongs to Toba Tek Singh, said that due to delays in its inauguration and lack of staff, the Astroturf could be spoiled after dust would cover it due to the non-usage by the players.

When contacted, Punjab Sports Board’s district hockey coach Muhammad Umer claimed that he had already written to the deputy commissioner to open the stadium so that players could start playing there.

He hoped the inauguration ceremony of the stadium would take place in a few weeks.

ACCIDENT: Five people were injured in a collision of two vans on the Satiana Road near Chak 75-GB.

The Rescue 1122 reported that a van overturned after the collision with another van. As a result of the accident, five people received critical injuries.

They were identified as Anwar (22), Aneeqa (18), Aasma (22), Mahnoor (23) and Ayesha (20).

The injured people were admitted to the District Headquarters Hospital Faisalabad.

Published in Dawn, December 14th, 2021